Wall bracket and accessory system

ABSTRACT

A wall system for displaying product in retail establishments and the like is disclosed. The wall system employs strips that are positioned on a wall. The strips have slots for receiving hook members on one or more brackets. The brackets are in the form of a flat plate with an orifice through the plate. The plate has a first arm and a second arm around the orifice and the arms are separated at their ends forming an opening between the arms leading to the open area representing the orifice a rod is inserted between the arms and rotated to lock the rod into position in the orifice.

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/203,534 filed Dec. 24, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of product displays and more particularly the articles used to create displays in, for example, retail environments. More particularly the present invention is directed to a wall bracket and an accompanying accessory system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many retail establishments use wall space to display articles that are available to the customer. The wall space can be an actual wall of a room or building or it can be any vertical surface in an area that is either a permanent fixture or removable. One type of display arrangement that is very common includes a metal or plastic strip that is secured to a wall type surface. The strip is generally positioned vertically on the wall surface and is frequently paired with a second similar strip. The strip can be any length but is typically about a half inch or so wide and has a top surface and a pair of side surfaces extending from the top surface toward the wall surface. The rear surface of the strip may be open to the interior or closed. The top surface of the strip is provided with one or more narrow slots extending vertically along the top surface. The slots are designed to receive an arm that extends outwardly from the top surface of the strip. The arm may have a free end and an opposite end that is removably secured to the strip. The arm may have one or more male members or pins that are each received in a slot and thereby held in place. In a typical arrangement, the arm has a first tab and a second tab that is received into a pair of slots. The tabs have a hook member that extends downwardly and prevents the tab from being inadvertently removed.

A variety of display arrangements can be made using the display strip. A pair of strips, for example, with their arms in a side by side arrangement can have a shelf extending from one arm on the strip to the other arm on the strip. Alternatively, the arm may be provided with a plurality of upwardly extending members. A plurality of hangers with product thereon can be hung on the arm with the upwardly extending members separating the hangers. In another arrangement, the arm can have a u-shaped receptacle on each of the arms. A length of a rectangular or circular bar can be received by the u-shaped members at the ends of the arms. A plurality of hangers can then be placed on the rod and be supported thereby. Other arrangements are well known in the art. These other display arrangements can use the slotted strip or they may employ other arrangements to show goods and merchandise.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique bracket for use in display systems.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a bracket and accessory system that is versatile and easy to assemble.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bracket without inadvertently becoming disassembled.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved wall assembly system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to improvements in wall systems for displaying merchandise including but not limited to clothing and other garments as well as a variety of other products. The system employs one or more strips that are secured to the wall. These strips can vary in length and usually have at least a top surface with one or more slots in the top surface. The slots are usually generally rectangular but can be any shape or size.

Inserted into the slot or plurality of slots on the strip is a bracket. Each strip may have one or more brackets removably secured to the strips by means of the slots. The bracket is in the form of a disk or plate. The disk or plate is preferably thin and its other dimensions can vary as desired. The bracket has an outer edge between two side surfaces that is provided with a hook or other means for securing the bracket to the strip. Opposite the edge with the hook the plate has a generally “C” configuration, i.e., an opening section in the outer edge of the disk or plate between two arms that leads to an open area generally in a center region of the disk. The open area is generally greater in cross section than the opening between the two arms. The open area is provided with first and second tabs that extend into the open area.

The wall system also has a rod that is preferably rectangular in cross section. The rod can be any length depending on how far the strips are separated. The rod also preferably has a cross section where the distance from one side wall of the rectangle to the opposite wall of the rectangle is shorter than the distance from one end wall of the rectangle to the opposite end wall of the rectangle.

The opening in the outer edge of the disk or plate is preferably formed by first and second arms. The first arm has a first edge portion and the second arm has a second edge portion the distance from one edge portion to the opposite portion that constitutes the opening section of the plate is less than the length of the rod cross section from one end of the rod's cross section to the other end of the rod's cross section and greater than the distance from one side of the rectangular cross section to the opposite side of the cross section.

The rod is insert into the opening between the arms and the plate and the rod passes to the open area where it is rotated from a first position where the sidewalls of the rod are transverse or perpendicular to the strip to a finished position where the sidewalls of the rod are parallel to the strips. One sidewall of the rod contacts an edge of one of the tabs and the other sidewall of the rod contacts the opposite tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a planar view of a wall bracket and accessory system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cut away view of the system of FIG. 1 taken through the section A-A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the slotted strip used in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a slot.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a slightly enlarged view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 with the rectangular rod prior to rotation in the bracket.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 with the rectangular rod partially rotated in the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 with the rectangular rod fully rotated in the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 12 with an arm hanging from the rod and a shelf on top of the arm.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the assembly of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows an end view of the bracket of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the retail trade there are some standard wall systems that include a metal strip 11 that is typically positioned vertically on a wall surface 12. The wall surface may be part of the building or it may be a free standing wall. The metal strip 11 is preferably a generally inverted U-shaped strip having a top surface 13 and a pair of side surfaces 14 and 15 that extend from the top surface. The strip 11 is secured to the wall surface by any suitable means including but not limited to nails, screws, adhesive, etc. The strip may be open at the end opposite the top surface 13 or there may be a rear surface (not shown) extending from the first side surface 14 to the second side surface 15 forming an enclosed preferably hollow strip. Whether the strip has a rear surface or not when the strip is secured to the wall surface, the strip 11 is provided with an open interior section 17 for at least a portion of its length. The top surface 13 of the strip is provided with a plurality of slots 18 along the top surface in the region of the open interior section 17. The slots are preferably generally rectangular in shape and have a top edge 19 a bottom edge 20 and a pair of side edges 21 and 22. See FIG. 6. The slot extends from the top surface through the strip to the interior section 17 of the strip. The slots are used to support one or more brackets 30 that are hung from the strip. The brackets are used to support merchandise or shelves or other aspects of the display.

As seen in FIG. 7, the bracket is preferably a generally flat plate of sheet metal, plastic or other suitable material. The overall shape of the bracket can vary depending on the aesthetics or other considerations. While a generally square bracket is shown in the Figures that exact shape is not required under the present invention.

The bracket 30 has a first side surface 31 and a second surface 32 There may be a top edge 33 a bottom edge 34 as well as a front edge 35 and a rear edge 36 is provided with one or more hook members 37 extending rearwardly from the surface of the edge. The hook members 37 are provided with a first section 38 extending rearwardly of the rear edge. The hook member 37 may be a separate member or it may be integrated with the edge of the plate. The first section 38 has a top edge 39 and a bottom edge 40. Adjacent to the first section 38 is a rear section 41. The rear section is provided with a hook section 42 which extends downwardly toward the bottom surface 34 of the plate. The configuration of the hook member forms a recess area 43 formed by the rear edge of 36 of the plate the bottom edge 40 of the first section and the inner surface 44 of the hook section 42. The plate is preferably provided with at least two of the hook members 37. The hook member 37 is inserted into the slot 18. Bottom edge 20 of the slot is positioned within the recess 43. The hook section 42 thereby prevents removal of the plate from the slot in the strip.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear edge 36 of the plate may be provided with a stabilizing bar 50. The stabilizing bar 50 has a first section 51 that has a top edge 52 and a bottom edge 53. In the embodiment shown in the Figures the top edge 52 is an extension of the top edge 33 of the plate 30 however it is not required to have that arrangement. The top edge 52 may be in the same plane as shown or it may be above or below the edge 33. Extending from the first section is a rear section 54. The rear section may have a hook section 55 which also extends downwardly toward the bottom surface of the plate. The downward extension of the hook section 55 also forms a recess area 56. The recess area is for receiving the bottom edge 20 of a slot.

The stabilizing member 50 also has an upwardly extending strip 57. When the plate is being installed onto the strip 11, the upwardly extending member 57 is inserted through a slot 18. The plate is pushed generally upward toward the slot's top edge 19. The hook sections 55 is then inserted into the slot 18 and the plate is moved downwardly so that the bottom edge 20 of the slot is retained in recess area 56. The stabilizing bar 50 provides additional support to reduce the risk that the plate could be inadvertently removed from the strip.

The front edge 35 of the plate is provided with an upper edge or arm section 60 and a lower edge or arm section 61 the upper and lower edge section 60 and 61 are separated by an entrance area 63 and an open area 62. The open area 62 is generally circular and access to the open area 62 is through the entrance area 63. The plate 31 has a body portion 64 and a pair of arm areas 65 and 66. The first arm area 65 is formed generally by the top edge 33 upper section 60 and bottom arm edge 67. The second arm area is formed generally by a top arm edge 60, lower edge section 61 and bottom edge 34.

Bottom arm edge 67 may have a first end 69 and a second end 70. Top arm edge 68 may have a first end 71 and a second end 72. Bottom arm edge 67 and top arm edge 68 are preferably the same length as seen in FIG. 7 but can also be as seen in FIG. 15. The configuration of the arms, can vary in shape as desired

The general outline or circumference of the open area 62 is shown by solid lines 73 and dotted lines 74 and 75. The dotted lines 74 and 75 represent the extension of the circumference 73 of the open area 62 and form what has been designated as the base of tips 76 and 77 which tips extend into the open area 62. The tips can have two sides each as seen on tip 76 there is a first side 76A and a second side 76B similarly for tip 77 there is a first side 77A and a second side 77B. Preferably side 76B and 77B are generally parallel to each other. More preferably a line drawn from the base 76C along the edge 76B is parallel to a line drawn from the base 77C along the edge 77B. At least a portion of the edge 77A is preferably parallel to at least a portion of the edge 76A.The plate may also be provided with an orifice 78 for a plurality of plates to be secured together.

When the plate 30 is secured in the strip 11 a second plate is secured to a corresponding strip 11A a distance from the first strip 11. The two strips 11 and 11A are preferably parallel to each other. The plates are used to secure a rod 80 that extends from the first plate 30 to the second plate 30A. The rod 80 may be any length and is preferably rectangular in cross section. The rod 80 has a top surface 81 and a bottom surface 82 and a pair of opposing side surfaces 83 and 84. The distance form side surface 84 must be less that he distance from bottom arm edge 67 to top arm edge 68 so that the rod 80 may be inserted through the entrance area 63 into the open area 62 as seen in FIG. 10. When the rod is in position as seen in FIG. 11 the rod 80 is rotated so that bottom surface 82 is moved toward sidewall 77B of tip 77. At the same time the top surface 81 is rotated toward tip sidewall 76B. As seen in FIG. 12 sidewall 84 of the rod 80 contacts tip side 77B and side wall 83 contacts tip side 76B. This provides a suitable arrangement for the rod in the bracket and makes it difficult for the rod to be inadvertently released from the bracket particularly when items are hung from the rod or a shelf is placed on the rod as the weight makes it difficult to rotate. Although the rod has been depicted as a rectangular rod a triangular rod can also be used or other similar configurations where one edge of the rod can enter the opening but the size of the other edge when the rod is rotated makes it difficult to remove the rod from the opening because of its size.

FIG. 13 shows the bracket of the present invention where the rod has an arm 90 extending from the rod. The arm has an inverted “U” 91 at one end. The inverted “U” goes over the top surface of the rod 80. A shelf 92 may be positioned over the arm. FIG. 14 shows the arrangement slightly enlarged. FIGS. 15-17 show an alternative embodiment for the stabilizer 57. In addition there is no hook to hold the bracket in the slot. In this arrangement there is a semicircular member 101 that enters one slot while the other member 102 has a stabilizer 103 extending upwardly. The length of this stabilizer is greater than the stabilizer in FIG. 7. The length of the stabilizer renders the need for a hook member on the bottom semi-circular member unnecessary. 

1. A wall system for displaying merchandise and the like comprising; a first support strip, said first support strip being secured to a wall surface, said strip having one or more slots in a surface of said strip, and a second strip spaced apart from said first strip on said wall surface, said strip having one or more slots in a surface of said strip; a first bracket and a second bracket, said brackets each comprising a plate having a first surface and a second surface and at least one edge separating said first and second surfaces, said edge being provided with one or more hook members that secure said bracket to a slot in their respective strips, said bracket having an orifice extending from said first surface to said second surface, said plate having an edge around the orifice, said edge having a first tab and a second tab extending into said orifice from said edge; a rod extending from said first bracket to said second bracket, said rod having a length and a rectangular cross section, said cross section having a first side and a second side and a pair of ends connecting said first and second sides and wherein said sides are longer than said ends and wherein said rod is positioned in said bracket in a first position where one side of said rod is in position transverse to the strip and wherein said rod is partially rotated in said orifice to a position where said side is generally parallel to said strip.
 2. The wall system according to claim 1 wherein said bracket has an open area extending from one edge of said bracket to said orifice, said open area permitting said rod to be inserted into said orifice in said bracket.
 3. The wall system according to claim 2 wherein the open area is formed by a first edge section and a second edge section.
 4. The wall system according to claim 3 wherein the distance from said first edge section to said second edge section is less than the distance from one end said rod to the opposite end of said rod.
 5. The wall system according to claim 4 wherein the distance form said first edge section to said second edge section is greater than the distance from one side of said rod to the second side of said rod.
 6. The wall system according to claim 5 wherein each tab extending into said orifice has at least one edge and wherein at least a portion of said edge of one tab is parallel to at least a portion of said edge of said second tab.
 7. The wall system according to claim 5 wherein each tab extending into said orifice has an edge and wherein when said rod is partially rotated in said orifice to a position where said sidewall is generally parallel to said strip one side of said rod contacts one edge of one tab and the opposite side of said rod contacts the one edge of the other tab.
 8. The wall system according to claim 5 wherein said members that secure the bracket to the slot is a hook member have a first section and a rear section, said rear section having a hook section extending from said rear section and wherein a recess area is formed by a rear edge of said plate, a bottom edge of said first section and an inner surface of the hook section.
 9. The wall system according to claim 8 wherein said hook members have a first section and a rear section said rear section having a hook member extending from said rear section and wherein a recess area is formed by a rear edge of said plate, a bottom edge of said first section and an inner surface of the hook section.
 10. The wall system according to claim 9 wherein at least one of the hook members has a stabilizing bar said stabilizing bar extending in a direction opposite the hook section.
 11. The wall system according to claim 8 wherein said one of said member that secures the bracket to the slot has a stabilizer bar, said stabilizer bar having a first edge parallel to the edge of said bracket and a section edge being curved line.
 12. A bracket for a wall system for displaying product said bracket comprising a plate having a first surface and a second surface and at least one edge separating said first and second surfaces, said edge being provided with one or more hook members that secure said bracket to a slot in a wall mounted strip, said bracket having an orifice extending from said first surface to said second surface, said plate having an edge around the orifice, said edge having a first tab and a second tab extending into said orifice from said edge.
 13. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein said bracket has an open area extending from one edge of said bracket to said orifice in said bracket.
 14. The bracket according to claim 13 wherein the open area is formed by a first edge section and a second edge section.
 15. The bracket according to claim 14 wherein the tabs extending into said orifice have an edge and wherein at least a portion of said edge on one tab is parallel to at least a portion of the edge on the other tab.
 16. The bracket according to claim 15 wherein said that secures the bracket to the slot is a hook member have a first section and a rear section, said rear section having a hook section extending from said rear section and wherein a recess area is formed by a rear edge of said plate, a bottom edge of said first section and an inner surface of the hook section.
 17. The bracket according to claim 16 wherein said hook member has a first section and a rear section, said rear section having a hook section extending from said rear section and wherein a recess area is formed by a rear edge of said plate, a bottom edge of said first section and an inner surface of the hook section.
 18. The bracket according to claim 16 wherein at least one of said hook members has a stabilizing bar, said stabilizing bar extending in a direction opposite said hook section.
 19. A kit for assembling wall system for displaying merchandise and the like comprising; a first support strip, said first support strip being adapted to be secured to a wall surface, said strip having one or more slots in a surface of said strip, and at least a second strip adapted to be spaced apart from said first strip on said wall surface, said second strip having one or more slots in a surface of said strip; a first bracket and a second bracket, said brackets each comprising a plate having a first surface and a second surface and at least one edge separating said first and second surfaces, said edge being provided with one or more members that secure said bracket to a slot in their respective strips, said bracket having an orifice extending from said first surface to said second surface, said plate having an edge around the orifice, said edge having a first tab and a second tab extending into said orifice from said edge, a rod, said rod having a length and a rectangular cross section, said cross section having a first side and a second side and a pair of ends connecting said first and second sides and wherein said sides are longer than said ends and wherein said rod is adapted to be positioned in said brackets in a first position where one side of said rod is in position transverse to the strip and wherein said rod is partially rotated in said orifice to a position where said side is generally parallel to said strip.
 20. The bracket according to claim 19 wherein said bracket has an open area extending from one edge of said bracket to said orifice in said bracket.
 21. The bracket according to claim 20 wherein the open area is formed by a first arm and a second arm.
 22. The bracket according to claim 21 wherein one tab extends into said orifice from one arm and the other tab extends into said orifice from said other arm.
 23. The bracket according to claim 22 wherein said edge between said surfaces has at least one hook member.
 24. The bracket according to claim 22 wherein at least one of said hook members has a stabilizing bar, said stabilizing bar extending in a direction opposite said hook section. 